Japanese Buddhist Monk Priest 7 Column Silk Brocade Kesa Ceremonial Temple Robe

A wonderful, brightly coloured and somewhat rare fully intact Japanese Buddhist monk/ priest's Kesa ceremonial silk robe. Kesa (which came from the Chinese word "kasaya") robes have been handmade/handstitched by monks/priests as an act of devotion as ceremonial robes for centuries in various Asian cultures (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, etc). The kesa is a rectangular garment designed to be worn over the left shoulder (see example image). The robes are made (often in a patchwork column pattern ranging from five, seven, nine or more pannels) specifically for fully ordained Buddhist monks, priests and nuns and are made from donations of exquisite textiles from wealthy patrons of Japanese Buddhist temples. The robes were used in daily ceremonies, temple gatherings, and private meditation. Antique Kesa robes...

A wonderful handmade vintage silk obi sash / belt featuring a Japanese temple - purportedly Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, among the forest trees. Signed a...

A truly magnificent and special work - this beautiful and exceptionally long string of Japanese hand-crafted natural wood (perhaps Rosewood) Buddhist Juzu mala beads. These rosary-type large prayer bead necklaces were used by Buddhist monks in temple prayers/rituals and worn by Samurai as amulets of protection. During the Edo period, Buddhist priests/monks and samurai warriors used to wrap the beads around their bodies and use the beads in their worshipping and meditation ceremonies. After reading the sutra once, one bead would be moved (some sects used them instead of wooden tally counters). It would take a tremendous amount of intense concentration and physical stamina to read the sutra while holding and counting/moving each individual prayer bead as well as a copious amount of time to move all the prayer beads to complete the sutra cycle. We have not come across another set of Juzu beads...

A truly magnificent and special work - this beautiful and exceptionally long string of Japanese handcrafted natural wood (perhaps rosewood) Buddhist Juzu mala beads with four large square-like beads called shitenshu beads said to represent the Four Heavenly Kings: Jikko-Ten, Zocho-ten, Hiromoku-ten, and Tamon-ten (Since there are four square beads, the denomination is probably Tendai or Nichiren sect). These rosary-type prayer bead necklaces were used by Buddhist monks in temple prayers / rituals and worn by Samurai as amulets of protection. We have not come across another set of Juzu beads...

A wonderful Japanese Buddhist portable traveling zushi shrine altar with Amida Buddha (Amitabha) concealed inside the folded wood doors. This work dat...

A wonderful, handcrafted work of a Japanese monk/ old man doll shadow puppet who appears to be making an offering of some sort. Oshie, which translat...

A stunning Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive...

A Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive elaborat...

A Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive hibiscus flowers within framework of ...

A stunning Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades with luxuriant golden threads. Dated to late 19th century of Meiji Period, the elaborate woven motifs on this kesa feature repetitive roundels dragon and phoenix intermixed with peonies and chrysanthemum blossoms. Two shades of contrasting gold threads were used on a striking purplish-blue background, with a dark metallic thread for the outer border and a brighter thread for the main body. The brilliantly woven fabric was possibly recycled from Noh costumes...

Japanese Buddhist Priest’s Silk Mantle (kesa) with Guardian King Appliqués, dai-e format composed of 13 vertical panels of varying widths and patches surrounded by a broad border, al...

Kesa, known as "Jiasha" in Chinese and "Kasaya" in Sanskrit, is an out layer garment worn by the ordained Buddhist monks. Bearing a basic rectangular form, it developed originally in...